Tim's birthday weekend.

I arrived at Abbeyard late Friday to be greeted by our resident caretakers, a group of grass consuming Australian icons, who didn't stick around for long. The block looked magnificent, if a bit wet underfoot. Tim and a few other arrived as the night progressed, a warm fire, a few drinks and life could be no better.
We got of to bed at about 11.00 and I was woken at about 12.00 by Alex Peacock, on his bike, wanting to borrow a shovel??. He had slid off the road just this side of Worseldine and was hopeful to dig his truck out??. I tried towing it with my little car, but to no avail, the truck was sitting on both the motor and diff on the edge of the road and was not going anywhere. We decided that it would be better left until the morning. Alex had a cold night in his swag, but he is pretty tough!.
With a bit of light to see what we were doing we managed to dig enough dirt out in front of the front wheels and under the motor, and with the pulling power of Tim's land cruiser we were back at the shed for a late breakfast with still enough time for some serious riding.
The plan was to ride to Lake Cobbler, though of course we had to detour along the main road to gloat over our earlier exploits, then up Worseldine and join up with the Cobbler track. The weather had not been kind, there had been some serious wind and numerous trees had fallen over the tracks. Our friends in the 4x4's have been on our side and most of the trees had been cut leaving great lumps of logs spread across the track with gay abandon. As we neared the Cobbler Road on the Cobbler Track it appeared that our benefactors had either run out of steam or petrol, or simply given up. The trees were enormous and many, it was time to back pedal and take the Williams Logging road.
There was a bit of snow around, Lake Cobbler was its usual self, always worth the trip, but it was time for an adventure. There is a path from the lake to the top of the water falls. That is the falls you can see from the road on the way over, 400 yards according to Tim. Though I think his yards are longer that mine!!. It is pretty rough going, but well worth the effort.
Then it was back home the way we had come, sit around the hay shed and await the culinary delights that Tim had prepared. Roast Lamb and vegies followed by Sticky Date Pudding and apple pie. Home was never like this. We even had a birthday cake with magic candle, only one seemed to want to relight!!.
The night was clear, with an almost full moon and the consequent frost the following morning. But what a gorgeous day followed, clear blue sky and the perfect setting to go for a longer ride. Camp creek was a raging torrent, it would have to be Schultz's, ok, but we all finished up with wet feet to continue the day. Tim had managed to slide off the main road and was limping a bit, there was a bit of snow around when we stopped at the high point on Buffalo Range Track.
I had always thought that I could see a track along the ridge to the east of the lookout, and it was fairly clear that there was a track up the ridge to the left to link up. Tim and Alex did some investigating but it was getting late, Rob and Doug did not want to be too late leaving. A full investigation would have to wait, it could be a short cut to Mt Selwyn Road or Buckland Valley Rd. Or then of course it may not go anywhere. It will have to wait for another day.
We returned to camp via Walshs track, there was deeper fresh snow along the link to the five way intersection, always a bit scary, then it was a race back to the block.
It was time to pack up, camping is such a pain, our master chef had left a pile of dishes and food preparation utensils, and the floor had to be swept.
Tim and I cleaned out the fire buckets and collected a bit of wood for the next time.
I have had a wonderful weekend, but there is also a bit of a sour note. The fire buckets were thick with half burned cans and broken glass. Honestly fella's cans and bottles don't always burn, surely we can put them in a rubbish bag and take them home. After all we did carry them up there!!!!, and it is grossly unfair on those who do the cleaning up.
All for now, thanks to all those who came along.
Phil R.

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